Woman kicked in face after climbing into giraffe pen

MADISON — Police say a California woman was cited after climbing into the giraffe exhibit at a Madison zoo and getting kicked in the face.

A police report says 24-year-old Amada Hall, of San Luis Obispo, California, climbed over one fence and almost got over the second fence encircling the giraffe enclosure at the Henry Vilas Zoo about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. A 2-year-old, 12-foot-tall giraffe named Wally gave Hall a lick, then turned and kicked her in the face.

Zoo staff told police that giraffe's are capable of killing lions, so the woman was fortunate that her injuries were not life threatening.

Police ticketed Hall for harassment of zoo animals, which has a fine of $686.

The police report says she told officers she climbed into the exhibit because she loves giraffes.